ITALIAN HOUSE SPARROW. 129 



without success. The Italian bird differs from the Do- 

 mestic Sparrow in some unimportant yet permanent 

 colouration, and the wings extend further down the tail 

 when closed. There is also a slight difference in the 

 second primary, which is relatively to the first and 

 second longer than in the Domestic Sparrow. But there 

 are the same general dimensions precisely; the flanks 

 and abdomen are of the same unicolorous dull grey; 

 the black markings on the throat and crop are of the 

 same character, and defined by the white of the 

 cheeks and side of the neck with a similar sharp and 

 distinct outline. The habits too are precisely similar, 

 and it is only as a variety under the name given it by 

 Schlegel, that I admit it into this work. 



The Cisalpine Sparrow replaces the common type 

 throughout the whole of Sicily. It is found during its 

 migration in the south of France, and has been noticed 

 by Strickland as occurring at Smyrna. Dr. Leith Adams 

 also informs me that it occurs in Malta, and that it is 

 said to breed with the following species. Its habits 

 and propagation are precisely similar to those of the 

 House Sparrow. It builds its nest in the same places, 

 and of the same form, and the six eggs which it lays 

 are similar in size, shape, and colouration to those of 

 our well-known bird. 



Mr. Tristram remarks, (Ibis, vol. i., p. 293,) "In its 

 habits this Sparrow agrees exactly with our own, in- 

 habiting the roofs of houses and the rafters of sheds in 

 preference to the more distant groves and gardens. I 

 never found it in great communities at a distance from 

 buildings ; but wherever man dwells in the desert there 

 it is found his constant companion. Probably there are 

 frequent instances of hybrids in the gardens where both 

 species may be found together." 



